When it comes to a voice recognition app we all know that BlackBerry 10 has one built in, however it is quite limited compared to similar apps on other platforms. But the good news for BlackBerry 10 users is that you can download SayIt which will give you a ton of voice activated functionality - perfect for when you are feeling lazy or maybe even in the car.

We first got hands on with SayIt when I was over at BlackBerry Jam in Amsterdam where I hooked up with the developer. Since then the app received a pretty big update and that brought a few new features - the biggest being that you can now ask SayIt pretty much anything you like and you should get an answer. I've been using the app quite heavily over the last few weeks so I thought it was well worth sharing with you my thoughts and experiences.

The user interface of SayIt is kept simple which I love. The grey and red circle at the bottom is what you press to activate the recording and again you tap it to stop. Above that you will see your question in the top box and below that will be the answer. SayIt will also speak the answer to you much like Siri does on the iPhone.

At the very top of the screen you will constantly see suggested things that you can ask the app which I think is a nice touch. As you can see from this screen shot you can easily update your social networking apps by voice if you can't be bothered to type. It isn't perfect and it does take a little getting used to but overall SayIt is a fantastic application.

As you can see below there are also a few other features of the app - all that work beautifully. The Command List will come in very handy for new users as it offers an extensive list of the types of things you can ask - ranging from the weather to searching for local restaurants as an example. It is even clever enough to answer some comical questions but I will let you discover those for yourself.

If you are going overseas then SayIt could well be a life saver for you with its translation capabilities. There are a load of countries available to choose from and once you have picked one the app will remember it so that from the main screen you can just tap the speech button and say 'translate..........' - Clever stuff. And it works real well.

As SayIt has been Built for BlackBerry we get the option to share results with whichever accounts you have in your BlackBerry Hub. I seem to be using the 'Remember' app a lot more these days so if I have searched for something and want to keep a record of it I just share it with 'Remember' and it's there whenever I need it.

SayIt is priced at £2.50/$3.99 and if you ask me that's a real bargain for what you get for your money. This one is a real beauty so a pat on the back goes to the developer.

Decent app. I bought it and I wasn't half impressed with it as I was before buying it. I would love to see the native voice control app upgrade to something similar to this and I'd be happier. The map option on it doesn't show any of the streets, and it is lacking a lot of features. Hopefully BlackBerry updates the native voice control app to improve it.

Siri is a more mature product but since Apple doesn't play well with others, we will never see on other platforms and it doesn't do translation. I don't have BB10 device yet, but I know SayIt will be the first app I buy when I have it.

I had a Bake-off : this SayIt APP vs Siri with some German friends and the Sayit won out...at least that was the overall opinion...
The real advantage was the Voiced translation...But as i suggested to the developer..and he replied he is working on this ...the REAL BONUS will come when you can talk to it in one language,,,have it translate and speak it in another (which it does well) BUT ALSO have a button allowing the person you are talking to, to talk back to it in the other language and then SayIt translates it back to your language...
So that when you ask `Where are the bathrooms?" ..you can understand the answer ...that way you have bi-directional translation capabilities...
Considering the Z10 is a global mobile system. capable of multi-languages , it is clear to me that SayIt will be in demand by other than English sourced users...and therefore should be bi-directional...

I think it need data connection to send the record to the translator and perform action.

BTW, I'm wondering about native Voice Control on BB10. Before the BB10 officially announced, I remembered that I read an article and watched the demo of native Voice Control in comparison with Siri. Is it embed to the BB10 yet? Sorry I still doesn't own any BB10 device yet. Still waiting for it come to my my country, officially.

hi there i just downloaded and installed Sayit. it does not seem to be working. I tap the record and i also hold it down i ask my question i get no reply. when i start the app it does not say anything i've uninstalled and reinstalled the app still nothing i am desperate to get this to work. I dont know if the factory "Voice Control" has anything to do with it. if so how do i get it to turn off. any help will be appreciated Thanks Art

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